There's no frustration here. I'm just observing that this seems to be a non-intrusive way to provide a value-added feature for Nikon's users, with very little downside due to the particular nature of the A-S mounting system (vs. say, Manfrotto's system which would interfere significantly with a photographer's choice of mounting systems).

The wheel analogy is spurious at best. There are many performance and aesthetic reasons why wheels vary. If we can bring it back to cameras, I'm glad that we've come to a conclusion on a couple well-defined memory cards, casting off MemoryStick, XD cards, and the like. I'm pleased that the tripod mounts on our camera bodies are all one size. And I would be happy if, when I purchased a lens, I could use a mounting standard that is adopted by many manufacturers.

(yes, I know it's not a ratified standard by a regulating body, but that's just semantics)

jhinkey wrote:
FYI - The 70-200/4 RT-1 collar is now $170 at B&H - nice to see the price getting more towards reasonable territory. Perhaps those $40 e-bay versions have put some pricing pressure on Nikon . . .

EDIT - I may grab one of these as I need one in the next few weeks and can't wait for RRS unless it will be out in a week or so. Any new updates on when they will have their version out?

I emailed RRS with questions on a couple of products, including the 70-200 f4 collar. For what it's worth, this was the response to when it might become available:

"At the moment we are still in the design phase for the LC-A12 collar and footówe do not have a set date when they are going to be shipping out. At this point in the design process it will usually take another 3-4 weeks before we put the plate into production and start shipping. "

binary visions wrote:
There's no frustration here. I'm just observing that this seems to be a non-intrusive way to provide a value-added feature for Nikon's users, with very little downside due to the particular nature of the A-S mounting system (vs. say, Manfrotto's system which would interfere significantly with a photographer's choice of mounting systems).

The wheel analogy is spurious at best. There are many performance and aesthetic reasons why wheels vary. If we can bring it back to cameras, I'm glad that we've come to a conclusion on a couple well-defined memory cards, casting off MemoryStick, XD cards, and the like. I'm pleased that the tripod mounts on our camera bodies are all one size. And I would be happy if, when I purchased a lens, I could use a mounting standard that is adopted by many manufacturers.

(yes, I know it's not a ratified standard by a regulating body, but that's just semantics)...Show more →

I don't think the example is spurious in the least, nor do I think the semantics comment is accurate. I think we're going to have to agree to disagree. Cheers!

there's another reason these guys and girls don't have their lenses pimped out. they don't own them. these are generally owned by either the respective maker or the service they work for. why own when you can just borrow. it's work. I own up to a 300/2.8. after that its hello NPS.

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Yet another multipage pissing contest that devolves into more obscure arcanity as it begins to wander the countryside, totally losing sight of the original question. Whatever the original question might have been is now pointless as each combatant tries to prove superior knowledge and abilities, impressing absolutely nobody. Keep up the good BS, everyone!

runamuck wrote:
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Yet another multipage pissing contest that devolves into more obscure arcanity as it begins to wander the countryside, totally losing sight of the original question. Whatever the original question might have been is now pointless as each combatant tries to prove superior knowledge and abilities, impressing absolutely nobody. Keep up the good BS, everyone!

well then could I ask what was you constructive act in this tale of woe?

I am just giving a "black and white" example of the world. there are opinions and then there is demonstrable reality

runamuck wrote:
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Yet another multipage pissing contest that devolves into more obscure arcanity as it begins to wander the countryside, totally losing sight of the original question. Whatever the original question might have been is now pointless as each combatant tries to prove superior knowledge and abilities, impressing absolutely nobody. Keep up the good BS, everyone!

+1

This post is way off the OP's question and is not worth reading anymore.

"Needed it for two weeks from yesterday for an upcoming shoot that I may use the 70-200/4 with - perhaps in combo with my 70-200/2.8AFS VRII."

plus evidently you are not using it with the AS system

True - none of my tripod collars use the AS system - I get along just fine with the 1/4-20 bolt - I have a Manfrotto geared head that I use and have a couple of small quick release plates that I screw to the various lens collars or the camera body. Though my setup looks a little wonky I've never had any vibration issues as a result - though I've only used my 70-200/2.8VRII, 80-200AFS, or 400/5.6 ED AI - nothing like a 500/4P or 600/5.6 AIS. I may have to upgrade a bit when I get one of these . . . .

I just received my RT-1 collar and it seems to work well. It's not smooth (it's kind of scratchy like others have reported) when the lens rotates in the collar, but it seems to do the job. Nikon has made it so that it's a bit harder to accidentally open the latch, which is nice.

My only qualm is that you can't really snug it down super tight since it's got an internal cam mechanism that does the tightening to a certain degree and then you can't tighten it anymore - prevents you from over-tightening it I suppose which could distort the lens barrel.